Overcoming adverse weather conditions with a common optical path, multiple sensors, and intelligent image fusion system

Joseph Ng; Michael Piacentino; Brian Caldwell

doi:10.1117/12.777254

15 April 2008 Overcoming adverse weather conditions with a common optical path, multiple sensors, and intelligent image fusion system

Joseph Ng, Michael Piacentino, Brian Caldwell

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6946, Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems and Applications V; 694605 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.777254
Event: SPIE Defense and Security Symposium, 2008, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Mission success is highly dependent on the ability to accomplish Surveillance, Situation Awareness, Target Detection and Classification, but is challenging under adverse weather conditions. This paper introduces an engineering prototype to address the image collection challenges using a Common Optical Path, Multiple Sensors and an Intelligent Image Fusion System, and provides illustrations and sample fusion images. Panavision's advanced wide spectrum optical design has permitted a suite of imagers to perform observations through a common optical path with a common field of view, thereby aligning images and facilitating optimized downstream image processing. The adaptable design also supports continuous zoom or Galilean lenses for multiple field of views. The Multiple Sensors include: (1) High-definition imaging sensors that are small, have low power consumption and a wide dynamic range; (2) EMCCD sensors that transition from daylight to starlight, even under poor weather conditions, with sensitivity down to 0.00025 Lux; and (3) SWIR sensors that, with the advancement in InGaAs, are able to generate ultra-high sensitivity images from 1-1.7μm reflective light and can achieve imaging through haze and some types of camouflage. The intelligent fusion of multiple sensors provides high-resolution color information with previously impossible sensitivity and contrast. With the integration of Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), real-time Image Processing and Fusion Algorithms can facilitate mission success in a small, low power package.

Citation Download Citation

Joseph Ng, Michael Piacentino, and Brian Caldwell "Overcoming adverse weather conditions with a common optical path, multiple sensors, and intelligent image fusion system", Proc. SPIE 6946, Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems and Applications V, 694605 (15 April 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.777254

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available